Launching device



y 12, 1954 A. s. FENSTER 3,132,357

LAUNCHING DEVICE Filed April 6, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2- F/EzZ i 5 23 .Zhvfenfor; @{5 afiam S- enster' QM M W May 12, 1964 A. s. FENSTER 3,132,357

. LAUNCHING DEVICE Filed April 6, 1961 5 Shets-Sheet 5 May 12, 1964 A. s. FENSTER LAUNCHING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6, 1961 United States Patent 7 3,132,357 LAUNCHING DEVICE Abraham S. Fenster, Chicago, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 101,279

8 Claims. (Cl. 9-30) This invention pertains to a device for, launching a life-saving object, especially an inflatable lifeboat.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide such a; launching device which is extremely simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and install, yet one which is completely effective and moreover reliable in operation at all times.

It is another object of the invention to provide a launching device which is light in weight and takes up little deck space on a ship, yet which is rugged in construction and permanently effective in operation.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide an inflatable-boat-launching device having means for tightly holding a boat package to the device prior to firing of the latter, which means being automatically released when the device is fired for launching the boat.

Another object of the greatest importance is to provide a boat-launching device according to the preceding object in which the holding means in no way interferes with or affects the ejection or flight of the boat from the device.

Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will appear upon proceeding with the specification, including the following illustrative description to be read with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of the invention shown in loaded condition ready for firing with the inflatable lifeboat being shown in dot dash lines for convenience of illustration only, the view also including a wiring diagram;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation'al view of the same;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1 in the direction indicated and with the boat being omitted;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the same also with the boat being omitted;

3,132,357 Patented May 12, 1964 the use of bolts passing through holes in the angle-iron base members which may be formed therein. 7, The base 1 includes a transverselyextendingchannel-shaped member 7 welded to the angle-iron members 2 and 4 and a pair of vertically extending support bars 8 welded to the angle-iron members 2 and 4, respectively, at the front end portions thereof.

The base portion 1 further includes a pair of spaced, parallel, vertically extending plates 10 welded at thefront ends thereof to the transverse member 7 and at the rear ends to the angle-iron member 5. The latter plates are transversely horizontally coaxially bored at 12 for a purpose to appear hereinafter and also bored in the same manner at 14. A foot-actuatable latch member 17 is pivotally supported between the spaced plates 10 by means of a horizontally extending pin 18 passing through the openings 14 in the plates and also a suitable opening in the latch member. The latch member 17 has a portion 29 for contact by the foot of a person'firing the launching. device when the latter is manually fired and a locking pin portion 21 at the opposite end of the member for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. The latch member 17 also has a lower stop portion 23 having a surface 24 engageable with the vertical flange of the base member 5 for limiting the upper or counterclockwise rotation (as viewed in FIGURE 3) of the latch member for a purpose which will also be apparent below. Although not essential, the spaced plates 10 may be additionally bored at 26 in a forwardly projecting portion thereof for passage of a locking pin 28 such as a quick-attach cotter element therethrough and through an appropriate opening in the latch member "17 to additionally lock the latter in the fup position during loading of the launching deviceas a safety measure. A tubular guard 31, which is secured to the base member 5 by welding, prevents accidental depression of the latch member 17 as by the tripping of a person by the pedal or otherwise or by a falling object when the safety pin 28 has been removed after loading of, the launching device. I

A single-acting air cylinder 35 operatively controlled by a solenoid actuated valve portion 36 thereof and connected to the ships air supply by line 37 is pivotally supported at the top by a transversely horizontal pin 39 pass- FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same 7 taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2 in the-direction indicated also with the boat being omitted;

FIGURE 6 is a view like FIGURE 3 but showing the device, without the boat, being prepared for firing;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the jackscrew unit and associated nut and washer used with the device of the above figures;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a ratchet wrench employed with the above jackscrew;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing a fragmentary portion of a slightly different form of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10--10 of FIGURE 9 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 9 but showing the device after manual firing thereof and with the carrier structure being shown in phantom in its position just prior to the swinging movement thereof; and

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURE 11 but showing the device after power-actuated remote firing thereof.

Referring to the drawing figures in detail and first to FIGURES 1 through 8, reference numeral 1 generally designates the base of the boat launcher comprising four angle-iron members 2, 3, 4 and 5 forming a rectangular frame joined together at the corners by welded mitered joints. The base 1 is suitably securable to the deck of a ,ship, for instance, as by welding, the use of clamps, or

ing through a clevis end of the cylinder and a depending element 40 at the end of a tubular supporting member 42 welded to the basemernber 5. The lower end of the piston rod 44 of the air cylinder '35 is rounded' up for reception within a semi-cylindrical recess 45 in the latch member '17. The piston rod 44 extends" through a U-shaped' member 46 welded thereto which retains the rounded endof the piston rod laterally within the notch 45 of the latch member 17 during actuation of the cylinder 34'. The relation between the piston rod 44 and latch member is that of loose abuttable engagement so that when the latch member is manually depressed, the member Will'- move downwardly 'away from the air cylinder without moving the piston'and rod thereof withthe latch member; The solenoid of, the air valve 36 is in an electrical circuit so having a pair of remote switches 51 and 52, one conveniently located on the bridge of the ship' and the other atthe normal lifebuoy watch station of the ship. It is obvious that the closing of either switch will complete the circuit 50 and cause the actuation of the solenoid, opening of the air valve, actuation of the cylinder, and consequently depression of the latch member 17 for'firing the launching device.

57 generally designates an inflatable lifeboat carrier structure comprising a lower-frame portion 58 and a' of tubular and hollow box construction, respectively,

secured to the vertical flanges of the side members by welding. The frame portion 58 is pivotally mounted by means of a shaft or rod 67 passing through the center of the tubular crossmember 64, the vertical flanges of the side members 61, and the vertical support members 8 of the base 1, the shaft being retained by a cotter pin at each end. Washers are provided inwardly and outwardly of the vertical support members 8 for smooth turning of the carrier structure relative to the base 1.

The cradle portion 59 comprises a rectangular top rail 80 constructed of tubing and a pair of generally U-shaped members 81 also of tubing which are welded to the top rail at each of their ends thereof. A transversely extending channel-shaped member 83 is welded between the side members 61 of the lower-frame portion 58. A pair of upwardly curved, downwardly flanged plate members 84 of thinner gauge extend between and are welded to the intermediate members 81 of the cradle portion and the sides of the top rail 80 thereof, which plates are in general continuity with the U-shaped member 83. Two pairs of cradle-connecting members 87 curve over the top of and are welded to the intermediate members 81 of the cradle portion and are bolted to the side members 61 of the frame portion 58 of the carrier structure.

A coil spring 90 is positioned between and abuts the transverse members 7 and 83 of the base 1 and carrier structure 57, respectively. A pair of members 91 secure the spring 90 to the members 7 and 83, being connected to the latter members by bolts, as shown. A bracket 94 is welded to the transverse member 83 and box-like member 65 of the carrier structure, said bracket having a slot 95 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter and a locking hole 96 for reception of the pin portion 21 of the latch member 17.

A pair of depending plate members 98 are connected to the side members 61 of the carrier structure by the same bolts that connect the rearward two of the members 87 to said side members and a pair of U-shaped members 100 are welded to the inside of the angle-iron members 2 and 4 of the base portion 1 of the device. A pair of chains 101 are connected between the carrier structure and base por-. tion of the device, being received in openings 103 in the depending members 98 of the carrier structure and being connected between the U-shaped members 100 and angleiron members 2 and 4 of the base structure by means of pins 104. These chains limit swinging movement of the carrier structure 57 under the action of spring 90 to the position indicated by the line 107 for ejection of the inflatable lifeboat from the structure in a predetermined direction.

A pair of lifeboat securing straps 111 pass over the cradle 59 on the outside thereof, being secured at the forward ends thereof by means of ring elements 113 swivelly or pivotally connected to carrier structure by retaining elements 115 which in turn are bolted to the side members 61 of the carrier structure. 118 is a manoverboard-Co -inflatable boat folded up into a compact package enclosed within a water-proof envelope or covering held together by snaps (not shown) and which pops open along the snap line after ejection of the boat package and covering and when inflation of the boat begins. A lanyard (not shown) extends from the CO cylinder (also not shown) within the boat package and is secured to any suitable portion of the launching device, such as the top rail 80 of the carrier structure for opening the CO cylinder during movement of the package from the device after ejection'therefrom for inflation of the boat. 124 are buckles for connecting the forward and rearward portions of each of the straps 111 during securement of the boat and cover unit to the cradle portion of the device. A fastening ring 127 containing a loop portion 128 is attached to the rear ends of the straps 111, the loop portion being receivable over the locking pin 21 of the latch member 17 for securing the rear portion of the straps, to the rest of the launching device.

0f great significance in the present launching device, the center of the rear leg of the bracket 94 is slightly rearward of the center of the pivot pin 18 of the latch member 17, as indicated by the letter d in FIGURE 2. This relation provides a substantial counterclockwise moment on the latch member 17 (as viewed in FIGURE 2) when the latter is in its upward position (as shown in the figure) with the pin portion 21 thereof within the locking hole 96 under the action of the spring 90, which is in compression, thus to provide self-locking of the latch member in the spring compressed latched condition of the device. The self-locking moment exerted on the latch member 17 due to the spring must be overcome by a downward force applied on the foot-engageable portion 20 of the member or on the recess 45 thereof by the air cylinder in order to remove the locking pin 21 from the locking hole 96 and from the loop portion 128 of the ring 127 of the hold-down straps 111 for causing firing of the device to occur under the action of the spring 90. It is essential in the present device that the dimension b be appeciable in order to assure the self-locking action of the latch member under the spring energy while yet of a quite small dimension to provide for easy withdrawal of the latch member from its locking position by the application of a relatively small force thereon for the firing of the device.

To prepare the launching device for firing, a jackscrew 133 (see FIGURES 6 through 8) is inserted through the slot of the bracket member 94 of the carrier structure 57, when the latter is in the fully raised position thereof indicated by the dot and dash line 107 in FIGURE 2 and prior to placement of the boat package 118 in the cradle 59, and lowered so as to place the lower plate portion 134 thereof between the spaced plates 10 of the base portion 1 of the launching device with the bore 135 in registry with the bores 12 in the plates 10. A pin 137 is then inserted through the registered openings in the plates 10 and lower portion of the jackscrew, being secured in position by a quick-attach cotter element 139. Chains 141 and 142 which are tack-welded to the quick-attach cotter element 139 and pin 137 and to the latter pin and lower plate portion 134 of the jackscrew, respectively, provide a jackscrew unit for preventing loss or misplacement of the cotter element and pin when the jackscrew and the latter elements are not in the position shown in FIGURE 6.

A washer 145 is then placed over the upper end of the jackscrew 133 and dropped so as to rest on the upper surface of the slotted bracket 94 and a nut 146 is threaded onto the upper end of the jackscrew and turned until it bears on top of the washer. The socket portion 148 of a ratchet wrench is next placed over the top of the jackscrew and down onto the nut 146 after which the wrench handle 149 is inserted in the socket portion so as to extend rearwardly between the top rail 80 and box-like member 65 of the carrier structure. The nut 146 is then turned down along the threaded portion of the jackscrew by rapid movement of the wrench handle 149 from side to side against the force of the coil spring 90 of the device until the locking hole 96 of the bracket 94 lines up with the end of the locking pin 21 of the latch member 17 when substantially fully raised. The loop portion 128 of the securing ring 127 of the rear portions of the straps 111 is then placed on the locking pin 21 of the latch member 17 and the latter fully raised so as to place said pin within the locking hole 96 of the bracket 94 of the launching device, after which the nut 146 is backed off after reversing the ratchet action of the wrench unit 148, 149. When the nut is loose, the wrench handle and socket are removed and the nut then removed by hand followed by removal of the washer 145. The quickattach cotter 139 is then pulled out followed by removal of the pin 137, after which the entire jackscrew unit 133 through 142 is pulled upwardly through the slot 95 of the bracket 94 with the chain-attached pin and cotter elements thereof being pulled up through the slot after the.

screw itself has been removed. The device is now in firing or cocked condition. To insure against accidental tripping of the latch member 17 and firing of the device, which may seriously injure personnel in the path of movement thereof, the quick-attach cotter pin 28 is inserted within the registered openings 26 in the spaced plates ltl and corresponding opening in the latch member.

The boat package 118 is then placed in the cradle 59 of the device, the lanyard of the package, leading from the CO cylinder therewithin is attached to any suitable part of the device, and the straps 111, which are in an open or unbuckled condition for placement of the package within the cradle are then buckled and pulled down tightly, the loose ends of the straps being turned back under the forward cross-members of the buckles to assure retention of the straps in tight relation with the boat package. The safety pin 28 is then removed, thus placing the loaded device in condition for either manual or remote firing.

The loaded boat launcher may be fired by placing the forward part of the foot under the guard 31 and on the portion 21 of the latch member 17 and depressing the latter smartly, or the device may be remotely fired by closing either of the switches 51 and 52 on the bridge of the ship and at the lifebuoy watch. station, respectively. Upon depression of the latch member 17 by' whatever means employed, the locking pin portion 21 of the member is removed from the locking hole 96 and the securing ring 127 of the hold-down straps 111 whereupon the carrier structure 57 together with its lifeboat package 118 is very rapidly swung under the action of the highly compressed spring 90 in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in FIGURE 2) to the phantom line position 167, thus flinging or ejecting the lifeboat package upwardly and forwardly in a curved trajectory carrying the same far out beyond the side of the ship on which the device is mounted and into the water below. The boat will then continue to inflate under the action of CO escaping from the cylinder for use by a person who has fallen overboard from the ship, for instance.

- As previously indicated, the locking pin 21 is removed from the fastening ring 127 of the hold-down straps 111 automatically as part of the withdrawal movement of the pin from the locking hole 96 of the bracket 94 of the carrier structure when the latch member is depressed. This removal of the locking pin from the fastening ring 127, substantially simultaneously with removal of the pin from the locking hole, instantly releases the holddown straps 111 and their tight securement of the boat package 118 to the cradle portion of the device even though the straps are still in tight buckled relation at 1%, thus freeing the boat package for ejection from the launching device during the firing action of the latter.

During the rapid swinging of the carrier structure 57 the straps 111 rapidly swing free of and out ofcontact with the boat package, moving forwardly completely out of the way thereof so as to in no way resist the ejection of the package or alter its path of movement as it leaves the launching device. The distance the boat is thrown is therefore not reduced nor is the boat in any way turned or twisted as it leaves the device resulting in it landing in the water in an upside down or other undesired position. a It is therefore seen that an extremely effective and simple boat-launching device has been provided which is quite inexpensive to produce, which does not require any maintenance whatsoever, which is most durable and permanently reliable in operation even under severe icing conditions, and which can be fired as desired either manu-' ally or at remote stations.

FIGURES 9 through 12 show another form of the device in wh ch the foot-actuatable latch member is of two-piece construction allowing the rear, foot-engageable part to remain locked for safety purposes while yet allowing the front, carrier structure engaging part to be actu- 6. ated by an air cylinder for remote firing of the device without requiring the safety lock to be released.

In the figures noted, generally designated the twopiece latch member, 156 being the foot-engag'eable part, and 157 the front part lockingly engageable with the carrier structure 57. The two parts are in side-by-side relation being pivotally supported on pin 159 extending therethrough and also through spaced, parallel plates 160 welded to the rear angle-iron member 161 of the base portion 1 of the launching device. The vertical leg of the latter angle-iron member is suitably notched or cut out at the center to permit passage of the latch member 155 and plates 160 therethrough. Tubular spacers 162 and a washer 163 are provided on the pin 159 to space the two parts of the latch member from the plates 160 and from each other. The rear of the bottom portion of the latch part 157 is turned inwardly towards the other latch part 156 at 164 while the latch part 156 is provided with a lug element 165 welded thereto which extends inwardly therefrom so as to engage the portion 164 of the latch part 157 and move the same in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIGURES 9 and 11) out of locking engagement with the carrier structure when the rear latch part 156 is pushed down by the foot of one firing the launching device into the position shown in FTGURE 11.

The rearward portions of the spaced plates 16% contain a locking element 169 extending through coaxial openings therein. (T he locking element contains a handle 171 and a centrally positioned throw or projecting pontion 172 for engaging the bottom surface of the rear latch part 156 when the latter is in the uppermost position so as to retain or lock the latter in that position. A projecting stop element 174 is carried by the plate 16% adjacent the handle 171 of the locking element for engagement by the element and retention thereof in the position shown in FIGURES 9 and 12 in which the throw 172 is'in an upright rear latch part locking position. The'locking element, of course, is rotatable away from the stop elemerit 174 to remove the throw 172 from tuider the latch part 156 to permit depression thereof for manual firing of the launching device.

i The upper, forwardly extending portion 179 of the Z-shaped front latch part 157 form a locking pin for cooperation with the swingable carrier structure 57in the same manner as locking pin '21 of the previous form.

In the present form, the locking engagement with the carrier portion is provided by a pair of spaced, parallel plate elements 181 welded to the rear surface of the rear box-like crossmernber 65 and depending therefrom and a roller 183 supported on the lower portions thereof in spaced relation below the bottom of the member 65 by means of a rivet 184, thus providing a locking opening above the roller for insertion of the locking element 179. The roller 1-83 obviously reduces or virtually eliminates the friction between the locking element and carrier structure and provides for firing of the launching device by the application of a very small force either on the rearward end of the latch part 156 for manual firing or on the latch part @157 for remote firing.

, For remote, power-actuated firing of-the device, a

solenoid valve actuated air cylinder 187 is provided, being supported on mounting plate 188, extending between and welded to the orossmembers 7 and 161 of the base 1, and having a piston rod- 189 which rests against a forward portion 191 of the latch part 157 when in the uppermost carrier structure locking position (seen in FIGURES 9 and 10). The valve portion 193 of the cylinder unit is connected to the ships air supply, as in the previous form, and-the solenoid within the portion is connected to an electric power source and is remotely operable by the closing of a switch at either of two stations. also as in the case of the previous form.

To complete the disclosure, a pair of spaced, parallel plates 195 are provided somewhat off center having coaxial, transverse, horizontal bores 196 for accommodating the lower plate portion 134 of the jackscrew 133 and for pinning the same. A plate 198 having a slot 20a is welded between the channel member 83 of the carrier structure 57 and the rear crossmember 65' thereof for providing bearing support for the washer 145 and nut 146 used with the jackscrew and for insertion of the jackscrew when preparing the launching device for firing. The present device is otherwise constructed and it otherwise operates the same as the first disclosed form.

It is accordingly obvious in the second form that the front, Z-shaped latch part 157 may be rotated in a clockwise direction (as seen in FIGURE 9) for firing the launching device independently of the rear latch partl56 which may remain in the locked up position against inadvertent tripping and firing of the device. It is thus seen that the safety lock element 169 may at all times be in the locking position to prevent depression of the rear latch part 156 when the device is in the cocked condition except when the device is manually fired, which adds a most desirable safety feature to the device, without preventing remote firing thereof.

Although two embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is not desired to limit the invention to the same inasmuch as other embodiments may be had. For instance, other means of causing rapid swinging movement of the carrier structure for ejection of the boat package may be employed, such as the use of an explosive charge contained in a gun-like cartridge automatically fired upon release of package hold-down or other retaining means and removal of carrier structure locking or retaining means where employed of the device, said charge being set off in a cylinder with a piston therein applying force against a portion of the carrier structure through suitable connecting means.

Although straps have been disclosed for securing the boat package to the carrier structure of the launching device, two lengths of rope may be used instead and tied to the securing ring 127 or directly to the locking pin, if desired.

While the boat package hold-down means have been disclosed as being swingably mounted on the forward part of the carrier structure and releasibly secured only at the rear thereof, the same may be releasibly' secured at both the front and rear thereof and simultaneously released in connection with firing the launching device. In this arrangement, the hold-down means may be straps either loose or secured to the boat cover terminating in loops or ring elements cooperating with latch means for securing the boat package, or, the hold-down means may consist of strap-like portions extending from and integral with the boat itself and terminating in loops or ring elements for such cooperation with the latch means for boat securage.

Although the present device has been disclosed as launching an inflatable lifeboat, other constructions under the invention can be employed for the launching of other floatable life-saving objects such as, for instance, life preservers.

The invention can take still other forms, and accordingly the appended claims should be limited only by their own terms read in the light of the overall broad spirit of the invention in its various aspects.

What is claimed is:

1. An object launcher unit comprising: a swingably mounted structure having limited swinging movement; said structure being provided with retaining means adapted to hold the object to said structure with the latter being at least near one limit of movement thereof, said retaining means being releasible from the object-holding condition thereof so as to permit ejection of the object from said structure for launching the object when said structure is rapidly swung in a direction away from said one limit of movement thereof and the structure reaches the limit of such movement; means mounted relative to said structure for causing rapid swinging movement of said structure in a direction away from said one limit of movement thereof for said ejection of the object therefrom; limiting means mounted relative to said structure providing for the limiting of swinging movement of said structure in the direction away from said one limit of movement thereof so as to cause ejection of said object from the structure in a substantially predetermined direction; said means for causing swinging movement of said structure including spring means exerting force on said structure with the latter being at least near said one limit of movement thereof; said retaining means including locking means engaging said structure so as to retain the latter against movement under the action of said spring means in a position at least near said one limit of movement of said structure; and said means for causing swinging movement of said structure further including means for moving said locking means out of retaining engagement with said structure and for effecting the release of the object-retaining means from the object-holding condition thereof so as to allow the spring means to eifect the rapid swinging movement of said structure.

2. An object launcher unit comprising: a swingably mounted structure having limited swinging movement; holding means for retaining an object on said structure; means mounted relative to said structure securing said holding means so as to cause the latter to retain an object on said structure with said structure being at least near one limit of movement thereof, said securing means further preventing any substantial swinging movement of said structure away from said one limit of movement thereof; said securing means being movable so as to remove the inability of said structure to swing to the other limit of movement thereof and to release said holding means from the object-retaining condition thereof; and spring means engageable with said structure for causing rapid swinging movement of said structure to said other limit of movement thereof upon said movement of said securing means.

3. A lifesaving object and launcher unit comprising: support means; a structure swingably mounted on said support means having limited swinging movement; holding means, said support means and structure being provided with means securing said holding means so as to cause the latter to retain an object on said structure with said structure being at least near one limit of movement thereof; said securing means including locking means preventing any substantial swinging movement of said structure away from said one limit of movement thereof; at least part of said securing means in addition to said locking means being movable so as to remove the inability of said structure to swing to the other limit of movement thereof and to release said holding means from the object-holding condition thereof for permitting swinging movement of said structure to said other limit of movement thereof and ejection of said object from said structure for launching; means mounted relative to said structure for causing rapid swinging movement of said structure to said other limit of movement thereof for said ejection of said object therefrom after said movement of said part of said securing means and said locking means; said means for causing swinging movement of said structure comprising spring means exerting force on said structure with the latter being prevented from moving beyond the position thereof allowed by said locking means; said locking means being mounted on said support means and being movable in one direction from the movement-preventing relation thereof with said structure and being arranged so that when in the movement-preventing relation with said structure said locking means is urged in a direction other than said one direction under the action of said spring means.

4. The subject matter of claim 3; said securing means and said locking means together comprising pivotally mounted means engaging said structure for the movement prevention of the latter and engaging said holding means for securement thereof and being substantially simultaneously movable from the movement-preventing relation with said structure and the securing engagement with said holding means.

5. The subject matter of claim 4; said holding means including strap means extending from at least near the axis about which said structure is swingable and having aperture means; said pivotally mounted means including projecting means extending through said aperture means for at least partial securement of said strap means and into engagement with said structure for the movement prevention of the latter and being substantially simultaneously movable from the movement-preventing relation with said structure and from within the aperture means.

6. The subject matter of claim 4; said holding means comprising means supported by said structure extending from the side of said object nearest the axis about which said structure is swingable over the object to the side thereof farthest from said axis, and having aperture means; said pivotally mounted means including projecting pin means extending through said aperture means for partial securement of said extending means and into engagement with said structure for the movement prevention of the latter and being substantially simultaneously movable from the movement-preventing relation with said structure and from within the aperture means upon suflicient and relatively quick movement; said extending means being highly flexible and movable out of the way of said object during the rapid swinging movement of said structure and thereafter so as not to affect the ejection of the object.

7. In a construction for launching an object, the combination comprising: a swingably mounted structure having limited swinging movement; strap means supported by said structure; movable pin means being engageable with said structure and said strap means for retention thereof in an object-holding condition with said structure being at least near one limit of movement thereof; spring means cooperable with said structure for causing rapid swinging movement of said structure in a direction away from said one limit of movement thereof when said strap means is released from its object-holding condition; and actuating means associated with said pin means for disengaging said pin means from said strap means and said structure whereby said strap means is released from its object-holding condition and said spring means may cause said rapid swinging movement of said structure.

8. The invention according to claim 7, said actuating means comprising manual means and remotely operable electrical means selectively operable for disengaging said pin means from said strap means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,180,322 Sanford Apr. 25, 1916 1,364,730 De Beer Jan. 4, 1921 1,912,360 Blanchard June 6, 1933 1,943,166 Dickinson Ian. 9, 1934 2,609,549 Krupp a- Sept. 9, 1952 2,696,204 Gilgotf Dec. 7, 1954 2,737,359 Brown Mar. 6, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,044 Great Britain 1914 

3. A LIFE-SAVING OBJECT AND LAUNCHER UNIT COMPRISING: SUPPORT MEANS; A STRUCTURE SWINGABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING LIMITED SWINGING MOVEMENT; HOLDING MEANS, SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND STRUCTURE BEING PROVIDED WITH MEANS SECURING SAID HOLDING MEANS SO AS TO CAUSE THE LATTER TO RETAIN AN OBJECT ON SAID STRUCTURE WITH SAID STRUCTURE BEING AT LEAST NEAR ONE LIMIT OF MOVEMENT THEREOF; SAID SECURING MEANS INCLUDING LOCKING MEANS PREVENTING ANY SUBSTANTIAL SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID STRUCTURE AWAY FROM SAID ONE LIMIT OF MOVEMENT THEREOF; AT LEAST PART OF SAID SECURING MEANS IN ADDITION TO SAID LOCKING MEANS BEING MOVABLE SO AS TO REMOVE THE INABILITY OF SAID STRUCTURE TO SWING TO THE OTHER LIMIT OF MOVEMENT THEREOF AND TO RELEASE SAID HOLDING MEANS FROM THE OBJECT-HOLDING CONDITION THEREOF FOR PERMITTING SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID STRUCTURE TO SAID OTHER LIMIT OF MOVEMENT THEREOF AND EJECTION OF SAID OBJECT FROM SAID STRUCTURE FOR LAUNCHING; MEANS MOUNTED RELATIVE TO SAID STRUCTURE FOR CAUSING RAPID SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID STRUCTURE TO SAID OTHER LIMIT OF MOVEMENT THEREOF FOR SAID EJECTION OF SAID OBJECT THEREFROM AFTER SAID MOVEMENT OF SAID PART OF SAID SECURING MEANS AND SAID LOCKING MEANS; SAID MEANS FOR CAUSING SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISING SPRING MEANS EXERTING FORCE ON SAID STRUCTURE WITH THE LATTER BEING PREVENTED FROM MOVING BEYOND THE POSITION THEREOF ALLOWED BY SAID LOCKING MEANS; SAID LOCKING MEANS BEING MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND BEING MOVABLE IN ONE DIRECTION FROM THE MOVEMENT-PREVENTING RELATION THEREOF WITH SAID STRUCTURE AND BEING ARRANGED SO THAT WHEN IN THE MOVEMENT-PREVENTING RELATION WITH SAID STRUCTURE SAID LOCKING MEANS IS URGED IN A DIRECTION OTHER THAN SAID ONE DIRECTION UNDER THE ACTION OF SAID SPRING MEANS. 